By Nate Dolha
Published: Nov 1, 2014
November is the month of remembrance in our nation, and this year the events of Remembrance Day will take on a new meaning for many Canadians, as the events of the third week of October will still be fresh in our minds. The week began with a cowardly attack on two Canadian soldiers in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, resulting in the murder of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent. Following this, we had an attack on our seat of government, resulting in the murder of Corporal Nathan Cirillo. These two men join over 114,000 Canadian men and women who have died since the beginning of the first world war in the defence of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Lest We Forget.
My son, as many young boys do, became enamoured with all things military at an early age. Tanks, planes, and little green men regularly lined up for battle on his bedroom floor, and trying to explain the complexities and horrors of war to a small child is a losing proposition at best. Instead, I took him to a Remembrance Day ceremony in the hope that he may better understand. There, he heard firsthand from a soldier in full dress, why serving the nation is a great honour, and why we must never forget those who came before us so we can enjoy the values and freedoms that make us the great nation we are today.
He watched with silent amazement as veterans marched to the applause of ordinary Canadians, and I believe this had a much bigger impact on him than any speech from me could ever accomplish. In that moment a patriot was born, and his awakening to his privilege in the world began. Lest We Forget.
As a relatively young man, I have never had to take up arms to fight for my freedom. As a father, I hope I will never send my children off to war. As a patriot, I will never forget the sacrifice the Canadian Armed Forces continue to make so that I don’t have to. When we pin on the poppy this year, I hope we take pause and reflect on why we wear it. As Canadians, it is our duty to pass on the lessons of this day to the next generation, and I would encourage everyone, young and old, to join my son and I at the ceremony this year. Together, we can pay tribute to the credo of the Canadian Military: Honor. Sacrifice. Solidarity.
Lest We Forget.
Find me on Twitter: @natedolha
Douglas R. Day says
Very, very well said Nate
When I was a lot younger than I find myself today,
I served in the Canadian Army with the venerable
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
That was at the peak of the ” Cold War”
and we lived in fear that a Nuclear War could descend upon us
ar any time.
Fortunately that did not happen and the closest I came
to Combat was playing war games with my Regiment up
the Squamish River.
However through those experiences, I gained a lifetime
of respect for our persons in the Military,
Sincerely,
Douglas R. Day